Broken

Hey everybody,

 

Last week, I was at home snacking on some popcorn when I suddenly felt something hard in my mouth. It wasn't a kernel; it was part of my tooth! My first thought was, "This broken tooth is going to cost me a lot of money."

 

The next day, I hopped on my motorcycle to ride to work, but it was running really rough. It kept losing power and cutting off. I turned around and parked it in the garage, and the next day, I had it towed. Now, I'm awaiting the diagnosis of my broken bike. 

 

This past Sunday, I had two conversations with two different church members who were struggling under the weight of significant health issues. I also talked with others about relationships that were breaking down. I was reminded again that everything is broken.

 

A word often used to describe this biblical view of brokenness is "fallen." When sin entered the world, everything broke. Nothing, not even the earth (Romans 8:20) is functioning as God originally designed.  

 

So, what are we to do with all this brokenness? How do we navigate a world, and relationships dominated by it? Before diving into practical steps, it's important to remember that this is the central message of the Gospel: everything is broken because of sin. In His goodness and grace, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to solve this planet's and its people's brokenness. Jesus went to the cross as the sacrificial payment for sin and invites us to trust Him and follow Him to experience reconciliation, restoration, and wholeness. The Apostle Paul said it this way:

 

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Through what Jesus did for us, we are rebuilt, repaired, and brought into a right relationship with God. However, the brokenness remains in the world and even within us. We won't be fully renewed until we enter eternity, and the earth won't be completely free from the effects of the Fall until the Kingdom of Heaven is established. So…how do we navigate in all this brokenness?

 

Give others the grace that God gave you.

 

As you interact with people, remember that they are broken, just like you. They carry the weight of sin and have experienced brokenness in various ways throughout their lives. Extend grace to them. Don't hold people to a perfect standard. Be willing to assume the best in them and be patient with their shortcomings. Isn't that what you want others to do for you?

 

Check yourself

 

Your motives may be pure, and your intentions may be good, but the truth is, you could be wrong. You might be the source of conflict or misunderstanding. Remind yourself that not only is everyone AROUND you broken…but so are YOU! Isn't this why Jesus encouraged us to examine ourselves before judging others (get the plank out of your own eye before getting the sliver out of your neighbor's eye, as seen in Matthew 7:3-5)?

Checking yourself is hard work. It takes time. It takes reflection. It requires the Holy Spirit revealing to us what we don't see in ourselves. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that the heart is deceitful and asks who can fully understand it. Then he declares: "But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives." Jeremiah 17:10. Asking God to reveal what you don't see in yourself is a prayer worth praying!

 

Be a peacemaker

 

Some people seek to be right. Others seek to make a point. But the people of Jesus seek to bring peace. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

 

In a broken world, seek to be the one who brings healing and restoration. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone! Everyone? Doesn't that seem excessive? What about ______(fill in the blank with your least favorite person or group of people). According to the Apostle Paul (who originally penned that phrase to the church in Rome, in Romans 12:18), living in peace should be the priority of those who follow Jesus. It makes sense, really. Jesus came to bring us peace with God; if we have been reconciled to God, it should translate into peace with others. 

 

Broken people need to be restored by Jesus. But they won't experience God's restoration until they first experience the healing and peace that comes from the people who say they follow Him.  

 

We have some work to do, friends! I'm praying for you this week. There is a lot of brokenness in this world. Let's not add to it but instead be a voice of peace.

 

Blessings,
Pastor Jamey